Fixing leaks to cost DHB $1.75m

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The Southern District Health Board will spend $1.75 million weatherproofing its Clinical Services Building at Dunedin Hospital.

The building houses the Dunedin Hospital theatre suite.

Board members discussed the issue in the public section of yesterday's health board meeting, before moving into public excluded.

A report from Board finance executive director Peter Beirne says the building had been leaking for "the past few years" but an increase in leaks and risk to the clinical environment had been experienced this year.

The increase was partly the result of unusual rain events.

Board members were told the building was nearing the end of its economic life, however remedial work was still needed to protect the clinical environment.

About $78,000 worth of remedial work was already under way, mostly on projects that did not require scaffolding, the board was told.

Board chief executive Carole Heatly said the work, which would involve sealing exterior cladding, windows and parts of the roof, was expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The work would be funded from next year's budget and the board would work through where the funds would be allocated from, she said.

"After recent issues with spot leaks around the building, including in the area outside of theatres, it is essential for our staff and patients that this work be completed."